Parents are often unsure how to speak with young people about drugs or what to do if they’re worried. But many young people will use drugs during their teenage years or be exposed to other people who do. It’s important for parents to understand how they can support a young person to stay safe and access additional help if they need it.
This blog offers parents some advice about how to speak to young people about drugs and what they can do to keep them safe. It also provides some information about drug use in the Gulf region and the consequences of substance abuse for adolescent mental health.
Why Do Young People Use Drugs and Alcohol?
Adolescence is a time of identity exploration and formation. It’s a period of rapid development and different types of emotional and social learning. Exploration and learning require curiosity and the desire to try new things, and it’s normal for young people to want to experiment and take risks.
One of the ways that young people sometimes experiment is by using drugs or drinking alcohol. They might also take drugs because they make them feel good at the time or as a way to socialise with friends. In some cases, drug use may be a coping mechanism for emotional distress; a way to distract themselves or escape from difficult thoughts or feelings.
Sometimes, young people experience pressure to use drugs as a way to fit in, also known as peer pressure.
Adolescent Drug Use in the Gulf Region
Research into drug use and substance abuse in the Middle East is limited. But the data that exists shows that it is rising. Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study suggest that the age-standardised prevalence of substance abuse in the Middle East and North Africa increased by 7.8% between 1990 and 2019. The all-age prevalence increased by 128.1%.
A focus group of young people in Abu Dhabi identified several factors that young people thought increased the risk of substance use, including peer pressure, inadequate knowledge of the harmful consequences of drug use, and family-related factors.
What Are the Risks of Using Drugs?
There are always risks involved with taking drugs. Drugs affect the way we make decisions and change our judgment of situations. This means people can end up in dangerous situations or take risks they otherwise wouldn’t.
Most drugs also come with the risk of overdose (poisoning) or having a bad reaction. Drugs may contain substances that are different from what they’re sold as, so young people aren’t aware of what they’re consuming. They may also react with other drugs, leading to unpredictable and dangerous consequences.
Every different kind of drug has specific risks. You can find out more about the specific risks of a drug on informative websites such as https://www.talktofrank.com/.
What Is the Link Between Drug Use and Young People’s Mental Health?
There are lots of different ways that drugs can affect young people’s mental health. And mental health can also influence young people’s drug use.
Short-Term Effects
When a young person takes a drug, it can cause immediate changes to their mood. They may feel excited, euphoric, confident, or relaxed. They may also experience more negative feelings, like anxiety, paranoia, or irritability. After using a drug, it’s common to feel low, anxious, and tired.
Longer-Term Effects
Drugs can also have longer-term consequences for young people’s mental health. By affecting chemical balances in their brains and bodies, drugs can lead to the development of serious mental health conditions. Because young people’s brains are still developing, they may be particularly vulnerable to the long-term effects of drugs.
Young people may also become physically dependent on and/or addicted to a drug. This means they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking a drug and/or experience strong impulses to keep using a substance, despite its harmful consequences.
Intensifying Mental Health Symptoms
If a young person is already experiencing mental health symptoms, using drugs can make them worse. Their emotions may become more intense when they’re taking drugs, and the after-effects can make challenges feel more difficult to handle.
Drugs as a Coping Mechanism
Sometimes, young people start using drugs as a way to cope with difficult emotions or experiences, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. However, while they may provide an immediate release, in the long term, drug use only makes the problem worse.
Speaking With Your Child About Drug Use
It’s really important for parents to speak with their children about using drugs. Young people often lack access to information that can keep them healthy and safe. By having open, non-judgmental, and non-stigmatising conversations, you can help them understand the risks of using drugs and support them to make good decisions.
Speaking About Drugs in Your Family
Sometimes, drugs are considered a taboo subject that families avoid speaking about. But stigmatising and avoiding talking about drugs prevents young people from accessing reliable information that can keep them safe. It also means they’re less likely to reach out for support if they need it, putting them at greater risk of harm.
It’s good to normalise talking about drugs in your family, through several conversations rather than as a ‘one-off’ topic. You may want to speak about the religious or cultural basis of your views about drugs if this plays a role.
Explain the Risks of Drugs, Without Judgment
It’s really important to clearly explain the risks of drugs to young people. But this should come from a place of care, not judgment. They’re more likely to listen to and consider what you say if they understand you’re trying to support them.
You might want to give some examples of the specific risks of drugs, especially ones that they’re more likely to be exposed to.
Place Boundaries to Stay Safe
To help a young person stay safe, you can come up with some agreements and boundaries for times when they are going out with their friends. Make sure they know that they can call you if they ever need support.
Talk Openly and Stay Calm
Try to stay calm if your child tells you something that worries you or makes you feel angry. Angry or judgmental reactions might discourage them from sharing their experiences with you in the future. Instead, try to think together about things that will help keep them safe.
When Should You Seek Additional Support?
If a young person starts using drugs regularly, taking drugs alone, or using drugs as a way to cope with their feelings or experiences, it’s important that they receive some additional support as soon as possible.
Professional support can help young people find alternative, healthy ways to cope with difficult feelings. It can prevent things from getting worse and support them in finding ways to stay safe.
Where Can Parents Find Support?
If you’re worried about a young person, their primary doctor may be able to offer basic advice and refer them to more specialist care. Mental health support services also often provide support for drug and alcohol problems.
Support for drug or alcohol problems usually involves different kinds of therapy, including talking therapy, group therapy, and experiential therapy. They may also like to join a support group, in-person or online.
The Wave Clinic: Specialist Mental Health Support for Young People
The Wave Clinic provides specialist mental health support for young people and families. Our residential and outpatient programs offer a diverse selection of treatment modalities that address the underlying causes of mental health concerns.
We understand the anxiety that can accompany parenting a child who’s experiencing psychological distress or engaging in harmful behaviours like substance abuse. We offer three to five-day parenting intensives for families to develop practical strategies and skills to confidently move back to their parenting roles.
If you’re interested in parenting intensives or our other programs, get in touch today.
